Heat Treatment Process Energy Efficient Design and Optimisation

Next-generation wireless communications are expected to provide reliable high-rate connectivity. The recent concept of fog-enabled architecture comes to rescue by invoking a substantial amount of data storage close to end-user devices for meeting these challenges. Thus, caching popular contents at heterogeneous devices, e.g., fog nodes (FNs) or fog access points (FAPs), constitutes a promising technique of reducing both the traffic and the energy consumption of the backhaul links. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an energy-efficient caching and node association algorithm for cache-aided fog networks. First, we solve the problem of energy-efficient content caching and delivery in the FNs/FAPs in conjunction with a fixed node association strategy, where the FNs communicate either with other FNs by node-to-node (N2N) communications or with the FAPs in their proximity. In both caching scenarios, we investigate the relationship between the caching probability of the file and the energy-efficient content delivery by formulating the associated energy efficiency (EE) optimization problem under caching memory constraints. Then, we derive a joint modulation mode allocation strategy and caching policy for each content caching node and conceive a joint node association and caching algorithm for maximizing the EE. Finally, we quantify both the overall EE and throughput for demonstrating that the proposed caching and transmission strategy achieves significant performance improvements.

Energy efficiency (EE) optimization is investigated for a multi-user cognitive radio network (CRN) over multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) interference channels (ICs). To reduce the system overhead due to information exchange among the secondary CR uses (SUs), the EE optimization problem is formulated as a non-cooperative game, where each SU transmitter competes against the other SU pairs by optimizing its transmit covariance matrix. Specifically, each multi-antenna SU maximizes locally its energy efficiency in terms of the number of bits transmitted per unit energy consumption, subject to the per-SU transmit power constraint and the primary user (PU) perceived total interference constraint. It is proved that the formulated non-cooperative game admits at least one Nash equilibrium (NE), and the sufficient condition for a unique NE is derived subsequently. Primal decomposition is employed in the local EE optimization problem to relax the coupling PU perceived interference constraint such that fully distributed operation is allowed. A distributed iterative EE optimization algorithm (DIEEOA) is then proposed to obtain the unique NE, which is shown to converge to the global optimum. Linear precoding techniques are employed to mitigate the impacts of multi-user interference and imperfect channel state information (CSI). Through numerical simulations, effectiveness of the proposed scheme is validated and the system setting parameters' impacts on the performance are studied.

With the significant data explosion, the demand of broadband wireless communication networks, especially the need of wireless broadband service coverage and the wireless access quality, energy consumption of information and communication technology (ICT) has exponentially increased in recent years. However, the growing complexity of network caused many mobility management problems. This paper proposed a new self-optimization based handover algorithm, which aim at improving the system energy efficiency and Ping-pong handover ratio. The main concept of this proposed algorithm dynamically selects two handover control parameters: Time-to-Trigger (TTT) and Hysteresis Margin (HM) based on the current network energy efficiency states ERG (Energy Reduction Gain), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) and Ping-pong handover ratio. Based on these system performance, the system will automatically modify the handover parameters to yield a better network performance.

This paper elaborates on current trends in strategic management of information and communication technology (ICT) based on a recent pilot study of a focus group which included number of organizations. It addresses recent developments in the application of and investment on ICTs - which have resulted in an ever-increasing scrutiny on the ways in which ICT solutions are planned for and introduced. After a brief review of planning approaches, it discusses the results of the pilot study of the focus group of companies

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assisted communication can significantly improve the coverage and spectrum efficiency of the Internet of Things (IoT). One main feature of IoT is short packet communication (SPC), in which the data transmission uses finite block-length codewords. The transmission rate and the packet error rate will affect the effective throughput of the IoT. In this paper, we investigate the impact of SPC on the performance of UAV-enabled spectrum sharing network. Specifically, the optimization of energy efficiency (EE) in the UAV communication system is considered since the battery of the UAV is usually limited. We design the packet error rate, the sensing duration, the normalized sensing threshold and the UAV’s transmit power to maximize the EE under the constraint that the primary user is sufficiently protected. Since the system parameters are intertwined with each other, we employ a successive optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem by dividing it into three subproblems. Then, an efficient iterative algorithm is proposed to obtain the optimal parameters. Simulation results reveal that the proposed algorithm can converge to global optimal value and has better EE performance than other benchmark schemes. And there is a fundamental tradeoff between the throughput and the EE.

Recently, interest in the development of alternative water resources has been increasing rapidly due to environmental pollution and depletion of water resources. In particular, seawater desalination has been attracting the most attention as alternative water resources. As seawater desalination consumes a large amount of energy due to high operating pressure, many researches have been conducted to improve energy efficiency such as energy recovery device (ERD). Consequently, this study aims to compare the energy efficiency of RO process according to ERD of isobaric type which is applied in scientific control pilot plant process of each 100 ㎥/day scale based on actual RO product water. As a result, it was confirmed that efficiency, mixing rate, and permeate conductivity were different depending on the size of the apparatus even though the same principle of the ERD was applied. It is believed that this is caused by the difference in cross-sectional area of the contacted portion for pressure transfer inside the ERD. Therefore, further study is needed to confirm the optimum conditions what is applicable to the actual process considering the correlation with other factors as well as the factors obtained from the previous experiments.

This article investigates the difficulties farmers encounter in adopting and utilising ICT technologies for sustainable agriculture, with a particular emphasis on bridging the digital divide. To assess the digital divide among farmers, the study examines access to technology, digital literacy levels, and internet connectivity. Affordability, awareness, and complexity are highlighted and analysed as barriers to ICT adoption. To address these barriers, customised ICT solutions, including user-friendly tools, are being developed. The influence of these solutions on long-term farming practises were assessed. The interpretations emphasise solutions such as cost reduction, subsidisation, improved power supply, information delivery in local languages, the establishment of service centres, and the provision of training programmes. Implementing these solutions can help to bridge the digital divide, improve information access, and promote sustainable agriculture. This article examines the challenges that farmers encounter when adopting and utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions for sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on addressing the digital divide. The research investigates the accessibility of technology, levels of digital literacy, and internet connectivity to determine the extent of the digital divide among farmers. It identifies and examines affordability, awareness, and complexity as obstacles to ICT adoption. To overcome these barriers, customized ICT solutions are being developed, including user-friendly tools. The long-term impact of these remedies on farming practices is being studied. The findings highlight the importance of cost-cutting measures, subsidies, improved electricity supply, information dissemination in local languages, the establishment of service centres, and the provision of training programs. Implementing these solutions can help bridge the digital divide and enhance farming practices.

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the creation of innovative and intelligent systems to optimise energy efficiency in manufacturing. The systems monitor energy consumption using ambient intelligence (AmI) and knowledge management (KM) technologies. Together they create a decision support system as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems. Design/methodology/approach – Energy consumption data (ECD) are processed within a service-oriented architecture-based platform. The platform provides condition-based energy consumption warning, online diagnostics of energy-related problems, support to manufacturing process lines installation and ramp-up phase and continuous improvement/optimisation of energy efficiency. The systems monitor energy consumption using AmI and KM technologies. Together they create a decision support system as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems. Findings – The systems produce an improvement in energy efficiency in manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The systems provide more comprehensive information about energy use and some knowledge-based support. Research limitations/implications – Prototype systems were trialled in a manufacturing company that produces mooring chains for the offshore oil and gas industry, an energy intensive manufacturing operation. The paper describes a case study involving energy-intensive processes that addressed different manufacturing concepts and involved the manufacture of mooring chains for offshore platforms. The system was developed to support online detection of energy efficiency problems. Practical implications – Energy efficiency can be optimised in assembly and manufacturing processes. The systems produce an improvement in energy efficiency in manufacturing SMEs. The systems provide more comprehensive information about energy use and some knowledge-based support. Social implications – This research addresses two of the most critical problems in energy management in industrial production technologies: how to efficiently and promptly acquire and provide information online for optimising energy consumption and how to effectively use such knowledge to support decision making. Originality/value – This research was inspired by the need for industry to have effective tools for energy efficiency, and that opportunities for industry to take up energy efficiency measures are mostly not carried out. The research combined AmI and KM technologies and involved new uses of sensors, including wireless intelligent sensor networks, to measure environment parameters and conditions as well as to process performance and behaviour aspects, such as material flow using smart tags in highly flexible manufacturing or temperature distribution over machines. The information obtained could be correlated with standard ECD to monitor energy efficiency and identify problems. The new approach can provide effective ways to collect more information to give a new insight into energy consumption within a manufacturing system.

How can the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT) support multigenerational living? In the recent years it could have been observed that the rapidly ageing society is a strong incentive to find new ways to mitigate the risks given by the demographic transformations. An active approach to face these challenges is the concept of multigenerational living, where the exchange of neighborly help within the community based on solidarity is an integral part for the insurance of a supportive system. The need for ICTbased solutions within a multigenerational community cannot be reduced to the quantitative demographic processes. The on-going social changes, success factors of multigenerational living and intergenerational relationships had to be considered. As a result the relevant application areas for ICT were identified as the enhancement of the independence of elderly people, support of organization structures within the community, and the inclusion of external support. Within these areas there is a wide range of existing ICT solutions that can support multigenerational living. For future ICT solutions multigenerational communities can take advantage of the fact that the given social environment may lead to facilitated implementation, especially in regard to the inclusion of elderly people in the information society. This literature review tries to summarize to current results of this subject

Information and communication technology (ICT) has changed and continues to change almost every aspect of our daily lives. Our personal lives, social interactions, educational systems, business atmosphere, and corporate culture-everything has changed in one way or another due to advances in the field of ICT. The construction industry is no exception. ICT provides an unprecedented opportunity as well as enormous challenges to the construction industry.

Dynamic optimization of ship energy efficiency considering time-varying environmental factors

ABSTRACTNonlinearity in parallel compliance can be exploited to improve the performance of locomotion systems in terms of (1) energy efficiency, (2) control robustness, and (3) gait optimality; that is, attaining energy efficiency across a set of motions. Thus far, the literature has investigated and validated only the first two benefits. In this study, we present a new mathematical framework for designing nonlinear compliances in cyclic tasks encompassing all three benefits. We present an optimization‐based formulation for each benefit to obtain the desired compliance profile. Furthermore, we analytically prove that, compared to linear compliance, using nonlinear compliance leads to (1) lower energy consumption, (2) better closed‐loop performance, specifically in terms of tracking error, and (3) a higher diversity of natural frequencies. To compare the performance of linear and nonlinear compliance, we apply the proposed methods to a diverse set of robotic systems performing cyclic tasks, including a 2‐DOF manipulator, a 3‐DOF bipedal walker, and a hopper model. Compared to linear compliance, the nonlinear compliance leads to better performance in all aspects; for example, a 70% reduction in energy consumption and tracking error for the manipulator simulation. Regarding gait optimality, for all robotic simulation models, compared to linear compliance, the nonlinear compliance has lower energy consumption and tracking error over the considered set of motions. The proposed analytical studies and simulation results strongly support the idea that using nonlinear compliance significantly improves robotic system performance in terms of energy efficiency, control robustness, and gait optimality.

Background. Life expectancy is an important health status indicator based on average number of years a person at a given age may be expected to live given current mortality rates. Given this significance, it would be necessary to probe into the factors affecting the life expectancy. Ensuring that information and communication technology (ICT) services are properly used could contribute to development and achievement, as it represents an important issue for the countries moving toward knowledge-based and information-based societies. Therefore, this study explored the impact of the information and communication technology on life expectancy. Methods. This study covers annual data from 2008 to 2018 for a group of countries in the Middle East. Data were retrieved from the Annual Reports such as World Bank and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data sets. The effects of ICT on life expectancy are estimated with the Panel model. We also used the Hausman test to investigate fixed versus random effects. The data were analyzed by Stata 14 software. Results. The core findings of this study confirm the significant impact of ICT on life expectancy in the Middle East. The calculated Coefficient of the regression was 0.551 indicating how much life expectancy changes when ICT variable increases by one unit. Moreover, the rho (intraclass correlation) was found to be 0.975 showing that 97.5% of the variance is due to differences across panels. Conclusion. Considering the effect of ICT on life expectancy, policymakers of the Middle Eastern countries should integrate the use of ICT with the existing programs and systems. Technology is not an end in itself but merely the means to reinforce the existing system and to meet the locally determined goals. It can be used as a tool to attain broader health and development goals. Background Life expectancy is an important health status indicator based on average number of years a person at a given age may be expected to live given current mortality rates. Given this significance, it would be necessary to probe into the factors affecting the life expectancy. Ensuring that information and communication technology (ICT) services are properly used could contribute to development and achievement, as it represents an important issue for the countries moving toward knowledge-based and information-based societies. As ICT affects everyday lives, it also impacts the macroeconomic growth, which in turn further affects everyday lives by allowing improvements in infrastructures and a higher standard of living. ICTs inherently entail the economic development of countries, regions and cities, while also improving social inclusion, well-being and therefore quality of life. Therefore, this study explored the impact of the information and communication technology on life expectancy. Methods This study covers annual data from 2008 to 2018 for a group of countries of in the Middle East. Data were retrieved from the Annual Reports such as World Bank dataset and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data set. The effects of information and communication technology on life expectancy were estimated through the Panel model. First, stationary tests were performed with the Fisher’s generalized unit root test. In the Fisher test for panel data, the null hypothesis of a unit root was rejected at the 5% level of significance. The cross-section correlation test was performed with the Freeze test. The null hypothesis of no correlation was rejected at the 5% level of significance. We also used the Hausman test to investigate fixed versus random effects. The null hypothesis of no fixed effects was accepted so the random effects model was used. The Hausman test detects endogenous regressors in a regression model. Endogenous variables have values that are determined by other variables in the system. The data were analyzed by Stata 14 software. Results The core findings of this study confirm the significant impact of information and communication technology on life expectancy in the Middle East. The Coefficient of the regression was 0.551 indicating how much life expectancy changes when information technology variable increases by one unit. The coefficient of ICT shows that 1% increase in ICT variable causes 0.551 % incline in life expectancy and this result is significant at 5% level of significance. Regarding control variables, we found that all have expected statistically significant effects on life expectancy. The intra-cluster correlation coefficient (rho) is a measure of the relatedness, or similarity, of clustered data. Values of rho range from 0 to 1 in human studies, and as the rho increases, more individuals within the clusters resemble one another. The rho (intraclass correlation) was found to be 0.975 showing that 97.5% of the variance is due to differences across panels. This research recommends that human development programs need to focus on polices which foster digital inclusion. Conclusion Considering the effect of information and communication technology on life expectancy, policymakers of the Middle Eastern countries should integrate the use of information and communication technology with the existing programs and systems. The digital citizen is happier and values living in regions with technological capacity, investing in research & development, and committed to achieving sustainable growth. ICT use leads to improved assessments of the efficiency and management of the public administration by more technological users, underlining the importance of an understanding between users and public services in the virtual sphere. Technology is not an end in itself but merely an instrument to reinforce the existing system and to meet the locally determined goals. It can be used as a tool to attain broader health and development goals. The findings from this study provide key insights that explain how life expectancy may be enhanced through ICTs. Practical Implications of Research According to the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) on life expectancy, policymakers should provide ICT infrastructures and adopt strategies integrating ICT policies with human life criteria such as education, health and work to improve life expectancy. Ethical Consideration The paper reflects the author’s own research and analysis in a truthful and complete manner. Conflict of Interests This study was an independent research and the author declares no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Acknowledgement I would like to thank Dr Marzieh Ronaghi for her guidance and assistance throughout this research.

Reviewed by: Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development Kwame D. Dakwa Akpan-Obong, Patience Idaresit. 2009. Information and Communication Technology in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development. New York: Peter Lang Publishing. 203 pp. Since the early 1980s, information and communication technology (ICT) has permitted people to participate in a world in which school, work, and other activities have been increasingly enhanced by access to varied and developing technologies. ICT tools have helped people find, explore, analyze, exchange, and present information—most importantly, without discrimination. When efficiently used, ICT can provide quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities, and cultures. It is this aspect of modern society that Patience Akpan-Obong's book presents in a useful report on her native country, Nigeria—a book in which she carefully presents Nigeria's efforts to use ICT to drive socioeconomic growth. Readers might wonder how ICT has been integrated into Nigerian life and how it could be used to alleviate poverty. Akpan-Obong covers Aso Rock (the Nigerian White House) and shows how ICT has permeated the seat of government. She mentions how a fringe sector of the Nigerian community has used ICT in criminal activities—what has globally been referred to as "419." To help readers understand the problems in ICT in Nigeria, she analyzes the evolution of Nigerian economic development by addressing the [End Page 95] economic plans of previous colonial governing entities and successive governments since the achievement of independence. Though the book was published in 2009, she does not mention how "Vision 2010," a plan proposed by the Abacha regime in 1996, has been realized; its impact on ICT is not heavily discussed. We are made aware that the colonial government improved communication to "facilitate the administration of the colony," and governments of independent Nigeria improved ICT "to be in line with the modernization zeitgeist." However, a whole chapter is devoted to Nigeria's National Policy on Telecommunications and other matters that have dogged Nigerian telecommunication. It brings to the fore issues pertinent to the question of how ICT is being used in national development. This is broken down into the number of telephones, fax machines, computers, printers, photocopiers, and internet usage (dial up or VSAT). This pattern of usage helps readers grasp how the government and private sectors have applied ICT. With 66 percent of Nigerians reported to be living in poverty, coupled with a literacy rate of 69.1 percent as of 2003, it would have been interesting for Akpan-Obong to have addressed how ICT has been used in Asia, particularly in India, to create job opportunities through outsourcing. Several books addressing the global phenomenon of outsourcing only mention in passing the capabilities of African countries. Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat (2005) does not mention the potential that ICT can have in elevating poverty in Africa. In addition, ICT is present in interesting ways; for example, a small number of Nigerians and other Africans use it for fraudulent purposes. It is hoped that a future edition of the book will emphasize more strongly critical business opportunities in the ICT industry and the educational options for rural education via ICT. In fact, as Bonk (2009) has argued, "It is the opening up of education that ultimately makes a fatter or more robust economic world possible. In the twenty-first century, education trumps economy as key card to participation in the world" (2008:26). Though some chapters of Akpan-Obong's book point out how approaches in ICT do affect the Nigerian economy and serve larger political and educational purposes, there is a wish for more. Of course, there is a limit to what a book can do, especially this book, a foundational publication for anyone interested in the history of ICT in Nigeria. [End Page 96] Kwame D. Dakwa Indiana University, Bloomington Copyright © 2010 Indiana University Press

Energy efficient clustering with disease diagnosis model for IoT based sustainable healthcare systems